Jones Engineering Associates

09/02/2026

Interesting take on how AI data centers could impact civil engineering and related fields: https://eu.36kr.com/en/p/3925965275682695

The booming global data center construction wave is spurring unprecedented new demands for construction machinery enterprises, reshaping market dynamics and driving targeted innovation in specialized equipment solutions tailored to the unique, high-standard infrastructure requirements of modern larg...

08/29/2026

A University of Houston professor of civil and environmental engineering is using AI, specifically large language models, to bring together roadway crash data.

✅The research assesses pavement structure, surface condition, road geometry and crash records from police reports.

✅Research results can help transportation agencies select candidates for pavement-safety projects by identifying pavement conditions associated with elevated crash risk.

Learn more: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136449

A University of Houston professor of civil and environmental engineering is using artificial intelligence to make roads safer by connecting information that is usually analyzed separately.

08/25/2026

How you can observe water 💦quality month

At the local level, every action you take helps civil engineering infrastructure do its job more effectively:

✅Take expired medications, leftover paint, and motor oil to recycling and disposal centers rather than flushing them or pouring them down the drain.

✅Use a broom to sweep your driveway instead of a hose. This keeps toxic chemicals and debris out of local storm drains.

✅Minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pick up after your pets to prevent nutrient pollution in local watersheds.

08/21/2026

A Clemson University professor is making strides in managing stormwater through the use of green streets, rain gardens and permeable pavements.

She has worked on numerous stormwater projects to mitigate impacts of climate change and population growth, including North Carolina’s first comprehensive green street.

The landmark project is designed to help manage flooding during storms. It’s a single street retrofitted with permeable pavement, bioretention cells – modular units which manage stormwater by filtering pollutants from runoff through vegetation and soil – and suspended pavement systems.

Learn more: https://thestoryexchange.org/women-in-science-2026-sarah-waickowski/

In South Carolina, Sarah Waickowski investigates the use of green streets, rain gardens and permeable pavements to improve water quality and reduce flooding.

08/18/2026

An interesting look at this civil engineering technology:
SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor gives users without advanced 3D modeling skills a way to create 3D earthwork models and bring them into Trimble Siteworks and the Trimble Earthworks grade control platform. The connected 3D-to-field workflow carries a digital model from design through layout, construction and verification, helping reduce rework and improve accuracy.

Read more: https://www.engineering.com/trimble-launches-sketchup-pro-civil-contractor/

The software connects SketchUp models with Siteworks and Earthworks for layout, excavation and verification workflows.

08/15/2026

🚨August is National Water 💦Quality Month 🚨

Here are a few ways civil engineers impact and rely on water quality:

✅Stormwater management and runoff control: Engineers design green infrastructure—like rain gardens, permeable pavements, and retention basins—to filter out pollutants before rain runoff reaches local rivers and streams.

✅Wastewater treatment: Civil engineers design and optimize municipal wastewater and sewage treatment plants. These systems remove physical, biological, and chemical contaminants so treated water can be safely returned to the environment.

✅Drinking water infrastructure: Engineers design water distribution networks, filtration facilities, and storage systems to ensure tap water complies with strict public health standards.

✅Erosion control: At construction sites, civil engineers implement measures to prevent soil runoff, which can severely degrade downstream water clarity and aquatic habitats.

08/11/2026

Did you know: Scientists can use new tools such as satellite remote sensing to study water quality and the health and stressors of all of the world’s rivers from space.

More here: https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/06/science-writers-highlight-uc-environmental-engineering-professors-research.html

08/08/2026

Civil engineering involves more than just roads and bridges.

Here's a look at the various careers prospective civil engineers could choose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uW7E9JGOC0

Most people think civil engineering is just roads and bridges. It's...

08/04/2026

August is National Water Quality Month - a time to reflect on the strides made over the last 50+ years to improve the quality of drinking water.

Did you know: Even though water makes up over 70% of Earth’s surface area, the total amount of freshwater only makes up around 3% of the water supply, 1% of which is easily accessible. This 1% accounts for all of our lakes, rivers, groundwater, aquifers, and streams.

See more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEQcUngxbLI&t=38s

The Clean Water Act turns 40 in October 2012. The Landmark Legislat...

08/01/2026

Civil engineering principles at work: Through hands-on fieldwork at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory, cadets learned how water moves through natural and engineered systems while developing the technical expertise and practical judgment needed to support future military operations, installation resilience and infrastructure decision-making.

Read more: https://www.usafa.edu/water-resources-field-operations-develop-engineering-judgment/

Water resources field operations help cadets develop engineering judgment through hands-on training in streams and watersheds.